🎉🎉SWR: Chapter 539/544

Chapter 539: Hello, I Am Gao Shen

"What? You want to sell Neuer?"

At Bayern Munich's headquarters on Säbener Straße in Munich, Germany, Hoeness received a call from Schalke 04 chairman just as he was about to leave work. The news was so shocking that he jumped out of his office chair in anger.

"What's going on? We had a deal—why are you suddenly selling him?" Hoeness pressed.

On the other end of the line, Schnusenberg repeatedly apologized and explained the situation.

To sum it up in one sentence: Gao Shen is too damn ruthless!

Neuer is our most important player, we never wanted to sell him. Even if we did, we would have sent him to Bayern. But that damn Gao Shen, backed by Manchester City's deep pockets from the Middle East, kept increasing the bid, wearing down our psychological defenses over and over again. In the end… in the end… we had no choice but to give in!

Hoeness almost exploded in anger over the phone, but he didn't direct his frustration at Gao Shen—instead, he aimed it at Schnusenberg.

Damn it, do you really think I'm some rookie?

Who doesn't know what's going on here?

Are you seriously playing both sides?

But Hoeness was no fool.

He quickly suppressed his temper, took two deep breaths, and asked in a low voice, "What price did Manchester City offer?"

"Twenty million euros. Cash!" Schnusenberg answered without hesitation, sounding completely upfront.

"Fuck!" Hoeness was stunned.

"Uli, we've been friends for years. I called you because I need a promise from Bayern. If you're willing to match the price, Neuer is yours." Schnusenberg's tone was solemn.

This was the verbal agreement between the two clubs.

Hoeness hesitated for a moment.

"Give me some time. I'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"Make it quick, Uli—tonight at the latest. Manchester City's representatives will be here tomorrow morning to finalize the details," Schnusenberg urged.

From his tone, it sounded like he was looking out for Hoeness and Bayern. But Hoeness, sharp as ever, knew better, Schnusenberg was just afraid that Manchester City's wealthy backers would back out if the news leaked.

"Alright, wait for my response."

After hanging up, Hoeness immediately dialed Bayern chairman Rummenigge. Upon confirming that he was still in the office, Hoeness left immediately.

Behind closed doors, the two Bayern executives discussed the situation.

"Twenty million euros? In cash?" Rummenigge was equally taken aback by the offer.

Hoeness nodded with a serious expression. "We have to act fast, or Neuer will end up at Manchester City."

Rummenigge hesitated.

"You know, Gao Shen has an incredible eye for talent. The fact that he's willing to spend this much on Neuer proves the kid's potential. We can't let a player like that slip away," Hoeness urged, clearly anxious.

Rummenigge gestured for him to calm down and sit.

"You're aware of our current situation. Podolski wants to leave—he's going back to Cologne. Van Gaal has requested reinforcements in central defense, defensive midfield, and the forward line. We're already negotiating with Stuttgart for Gomez, and if that deal goes through, it'll likely be the biggest transfer in the Bundesliga this year."

"Then there's the defensive midfield situation. Zenit's Tymoshchuk isn't cheap either. We also need reinforcements on the wings…"

At this point, Rummenigge glanced at the anxious Hoeness and continued, "Considering all our ongoing transfer negotiations, we're already looking at spending at least 40 million euros this summer. Neuer wasn't even part of our initial plan. If we add him, we're talking 60 million. And don't forget—we're also eyeing Robben. His price tag is easily another 20 to 30 million euros..."

Even Hoeness felt overwhelmed at this point.

Spending 80 to 90 million—or close to 100 million—in a single summer?

That's just not Bayern Munich's style!

Bayern has always been financially prudent, meticulously calculating every transfer. Under normal circumstances, 20 million euros wouldn't be an issue, Bayern could afford it.

But right now, signing a goalkeeper isn't their top priority.

Is it really worth splashing out an extra 20 million euros for this?

"We still have Rensing. There's no urgent need to reinforce the goalkeeper position," Rummenigge reminded him.

Hoeness opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He could only sigh.

He had a strong feeling that with this transfer, Neuer's chances of joining Bayern were all but gone.

…

At the Germany U21 national team training camp in Gothenburg, Sweden, preparations were in full swing.

Their opening match against Spain U21 was about to begin, and all the young players were eager to prove themselves.

Manuel Neuer was undoubtedly the biggest star in the current German youth team.

Unlike with the senior national team, where he was overshadowed by Michael Rensing and René Adler, both of whom were ineligible for this tournament due to age restrictions, Neuer was now the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the U21s.

He was determined to perform well in the European U21 Championship, return to the senior squad, and even secure a place in the World Cup in South Africa.

But just as the tournament was about to begin, Neuer received an unexpected call from his agent, Thomas Krause.

Schalke 04 wanted to sell him, to the Premier League!

The news came so suddenly that Neuer was caught off guard. As he tried to process it, several of his teammates gathered nearby, discussing transfers.

"You have to be careful with transfers abroad," Sami Khedira advised, shaking his head. "Look at Hildebrand, he was in top form at Stuttgart and had great momentum, but after moving to Valencia, he couldn't adapt and his performances collapsed."

Moving to a foreign league did carry significant risks.

And that was exactly what Neuer was worried about.

His current goal was to become Germany's third-choice goalkeeper, but he was confident in his ability to climb higher.

Yet if he transferred abroad and struggled, as Khedira had warned, his career could take a disastrous turn.

"I heard Manchester City's new head coach is Gao Shen," Mats Hummels chimed in. Having come through Bayern's youth academy before officially transferring to Dortmund this summer, he was familiar with Bayern's coaching philosophy. "Klopp speaks highly of him and often brings him up during our training sessions."

"Yeah, I heard that a lot of our domestic coaches—including Klopp and Tuchel—traveled to Italy specifically to attend his coaching seminars. They said he's a brilliant manager. The Italian coaching center's lecture hall was packed with hundreds of people when he spoke," Marcel Schmelzer added.

"Our coach in Hamburg, Martin Jol, also praises Gao Shen a lot," said Jérôme Boateng. "He says his tactics and training methods are cutting-edge and that he's one of the best coaches right now. Oh, and didn't the media report on how he trains goalkeepers…?"

Boateng frowned, trying to recall the details.

"His transformation of Handanović was a huge success. I read about it in Bild and Kicker," Neuer said.

"Yeah, that's it! The Dutch goalkeeper coach at our club highly recommends him," Boateng nodded. "I think Gao Shen really knows what he's doing, and he has a great eye for young talent. If he wanted me, I'd agree without hesitation."

He grinned, flashing a bright smile, and laughed.

The others chuckled.

At this point, Gao Shen's reputation was immense. If he extended an offer, unless a player had a chance at a top club, there weren't many young stars who would turn him down.

"You know, this Gao Shen is incredible," Hummels said. "I checked the Spanish U21 squad we're facing, and so many of their players were promoted by him at Real Madrid—Javi García, Miguel Torres, Granero, Parejo, Juan Mata, Callejón, Bueno… even Busquets from Barcelona."

He sounded genuinely impressed.

"He only coached Real Madrid for six months, yet he unearthed so many talents. That's insane!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Over time, Gao Shen's influence had only grown. His achievements at Real Madrid had already been widely recognized, but as his Napoli side continued to impress, his reputation across Spanish football had reached new heights.

Just look at Spain's U21 squad, so many of their players had been discovered and developed by Gao Shen. That alone spoke volumes.

But Real Madrid had been reckless.

Especially Calderón, who had wasted such a promising generation of young players.

"I think instead of overthinking it, you should just ask your agent to get in touch with Gao Shen," Schmelzer suggested. "See if you can have a proper conversation with him, even just a phone call. That way, you'll have a clearer idea of what to expect."

For these young players, Gao Shen was more of a legend.

They had only seen him through the media, newspapers, and magazines. At most, they followed him on Twitter.

But they had noticed something, he seemed like a genuinely interesting person, nothing like the older, traditional head coaches.

Playing under someone like that could actually be fun.

Neuer nodded.

It made sense. Reaching out to Gao Shen himself would not only show initiative but also clear up any uncertainties he had.

After all, his future was his top priority.

At this stage, fame and money weren't the most important things for him.

What mattered most was his development.

He wanted to become Germany's best goalkeeper and eventually one of the best in Europe.

Even if he wasn't a starter for the senior national team yet, that didn't change his ambitions.

…

As the conversation continued, the players started discussing Gao Shen's past teams—Real Madrid, Napoli, and now, potentially, Manchester City.

They couldn't help but feel curious.

It was hard to believe that someone could become a top coach in Europe at just 28 years old.

It was almost surreal.

Just as everyone was talking about it, Neuer's phone suddenly rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

He hesitated, then picked up.

And as soon as he answered, the voice on the other end said.

"Hello, Manuel, I'm Gao Shen."

Neuer was so startled that he nearly jumped out of his seat.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 540: I Want to Poach Messi

This was the first time Gao Shen had met Guardiola since the Champions League final.

When Guardiola picked him up at the airport, he looked so miserable. His expression and eyes were full of resentment, it was almost pitiful.

"Alright, I admit I was wrong, Pep," Gao Shen said solemnly, wrapping an arm around Guardiola's shoulders. "To make it up to you, I swear, if I face you in this season's Champions League again, I'll be a puppy!"

At first, Guardiola was just mildly complaining, without much of a reaction. But after hearing Gao Shen's words, he nearly lost it.

Damn it, you think you won't be competing with me?

You won't be in the Champions League? Or are you not good enough to compete?

"Gao, you have to speak with some conscience!" Guardiola said, half laughing in disbelief.

"My conscience is clear. I had the chance to coach Bayern Munich, but I chose not to just so I wouldn't have to compete with you in the Champions League. Instead, I went to Manchester City. The fans—no, the readers, are furious with me for it."

Guardiola pointed at him, speechless for a long time.

"Gao, I can see you've become even more shameless than before," Guardiola finally said, shaking his head as if he had been utterly betrayed. He walked ahead, pretending not to see him.

Gao Shen and Lucas followed behind, grinning.

They always enjoyed seeing Guardiola get flustered.

Of course, Gao Shen was only joking like this because Brian Kidd wasn't around. If Manchester City's technical director had been present, he wouldn't have made such jokes, it wouldn't have been appropriate.

Kidd had stayed in Gelsenkirchen to handle Neuer's transfer.

After Gao Shen's hour-long call with Neuer, everything was essentially settled.

Neuer believed in the plan Gao Shen had laid out for him and was very intrigued by it.

As for personal terms? That wasn't a problem at all.

Compared to Premier League wages, Bundesliga salaries were nothing.

…

The three of them got into Guardiola's car and drove out of the airport.

Since they were in Barcelona, it was only natural that Guardiola would take them out for a meal.

"Alright, tell me, what sneaky plan do you have coming to Barcelona?" Guardiola asked as he drove.

Gao Shen curled his lips. "See? You're misunderstanding me again. Do I look like that kind of person?"

Guardiola didn't respond. He just pointed at his own face, as if saying, Look at yourself.

Not just similar, it's exactly like that!

"I still remember the last time you came here, you were trying to poach our players. I'm guessing it's the same this time," Guardiola said suspiciously.

"Come on, bro, now that's unfair. You took Thiago Motta from me, and I haven't even complained yet."

"What do you mean 'yours'? You know very well that Napoli's head coach is Allegri now. What does that have to do with you?"

"Fine, you win. The rich clubs always win, right?" Gao Shen actually conceded for once.

But Guardiola wasn't buying it. "That doesn't sound like you at all."

"What do you mean?"

"You never back down."

The more Guardiola thought about it, the more suspicious he became. "Just tell me, who do you want?"

His tone suggested that if they couldn't come to an agreement, he wouldn't even treat them to dinner.

"Messi!" Gao Shen declared.

Guardiola was so startled that he slammed on the brakes.

"Are you crazy?"

"Are you crazy? Slamming the brakes in the middle of the road, do you have a death wish?" Gao Shen was shaken.

Sure enough, the traffic police were right, never distract the driver while they're driving. It's way too dangerous!

"No, seriously, you want to buy Messi?" Guardiola pulled over.

"Yeah. First offer—150 million euros. If that's not enough, we'll go higher," Gao Shen said, looking every bit like a wealthy man ready to splash cash.

Guardiola pointed at him, unable to find the words.

What was he supposed to say?

That Messi isn't for sale?

That wouldn't hold up, everything had a price.

"No way. If you have that much money, why not spend it on something else?"

Gao Shen chuckled. "But I just like Messi."

"He won't adapt to the Premier League. He's not built for physical play."

"That's fine. I'll help him train for it. You know Pintus is excellent at that."

"He wouldn't want to go to the Premier League—it's too risky."

"I've already thought about it. I'll build the entire team around him. No problem."

"But you don't even have a proper midfield. You expect Messi to play with a bunch of rough players?"

"Don't worry, I've got that covered too. Look, I already signed Rakitic. I'm in talks with Modrić from Tottenham and David Silva from Valencia. Still not enough? No problem, I'll go after Xavi and Iniesta too."

At this point, Gao Shen spread his hands nonchalantly.

"You know, to my boss, money is just numbers. He already told me, there's no upper limit on the transfer budget. I can buy whoever I want."

Gao Shen's words were half true, half exaggerated, leaving Guardiola unsure whether to believe him.

But one thing was clear—when you had unlimited funds, you could do whatever you wanted.

If they were willing to spend 150 million euros on Messi, why wouldn't they pay for Xavi and Iniesta too?

"You're insane!" Guardiola finally said, realizing he had taken the whole thing too seriously.

He knew Gao Shen well. If Manchester City had convinced him to join, they must have given him complete control.

As for Messi, no one knew his potential better than Guardiola himself.

…

The car started moving again.

Soon, Gao Shen and Lucas burst into laughter, followed by Guardiola's frustrated roar.

"You two bastards, get out of my car right now!"

"Come on, bro, we're on the highway!"

"Why do I even put up with you? Do you really enjoy messing with me this much?"

"It's actually quite fun."

"Get lost! Swear to me that you won't go after Messi, Xavi, or Iniesta!"

"Relax, you act like they're priceless treasures. Do I really care that much?"

"I don't trust you! You're always up to something! How do I know what you're planning?"

"Hey, Pep, I can vouch for Gao, he's not trying to steal your players."

"What right do you have to vouch for him? You're just an accomplice! The two of you are in this together!"

"Haha, Pep, are you really scared?"

"Scared? Do you know a single top club in Europe that isn't wary of you?"

"I take that as a compliment."

"Get lost!"

…

The car entered Barcelona, and Guardiola took them straight to a five-star hotel.

He had already booked a room for Gao Shen and his companion.

And that was precisely what frustrated him the most.

He had gone out of his way to be a good host, and yet, if Gao Shen really was here to poach his players, wouldn't that be like inviting a wolf into his own home?

After checking in, Guardiola still looked uneasy.

"Be honest with me, what are you really here for?" he asked seriously.

Gao Shen could tell Guardiola was genuinely concerned and couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm here to meet a player."

"From Barça?"

"No," Gao Shen shook his head. "But he lives in Barcelona right now."

Seeing that Gao Shen wasn't joking, Guardiola felt slightly relieved but he still wasn't letting his guard down.

He had no choice. Gao Shen was too cunning.

"Is he any good?" Guardiola asked curiously.

Gao Shen thought for a moment, then nodded. "In a few years, you might have to pay as much for him as Real Madrid did for Cristiano Ronaldo."

Hearing this, Guardiola was intrigued.

Cristiano Ronaldo had cost Real Madrid nearly 100 million euros—a world-record transfer fee.

But as far as he knew, there weren't any rising stars in Barcelona worth that kind of money.

If there were, there was no way he wouldn't have heard about it.

"Who is he?" Guardiola pressed.

Gao Shen narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Do you think I'd tell you?"

"Tsk!" Guardiola waved his hand dismissively, though deep down, he had to admire Gao Shen's scouting eye.

Gao Shen studied him for a moment before suddenly asking, "How are you holding up after the Champions League final?"

Guardiola's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly shook his head. "What do you mean? We made it to the Champions League final and nearly won the treble. What else do you expect?"

Gao Shen nodded. "I just didn't understand why you switched to a three-man defense in the second half."

Guardiola sighed, then smiled faintly. "What did you think of our ball control after we switched to three at the back?"

"It was better," Gao Shen admitted.

Guardiola nodded. "Exactly."

After a brief pause, he continued. "If you analyze the game in hindsight, it's easy to say the tactical change was a mistake. But in reality, if your players' stamina had dropped even a little in the second half—if their defensive intensity had waned after taking the lead—the outcome could have been completely different."

"If we had equalized, you guys would've been the ones under pressure!" Guardiola said confidently.

Gao Shen didn't dismiss the possibility.

Of course, from his perspective, he would have made adjustments. If things had gotten out of hand, he would have even considered sitting deep, dragging the game into extra time, and relying on his team's physical advantage or even taking it to penalties.

A Champions League final was like a duel between two master tacticians.

The margin of victory was often razor-thin, sometimes just a matter of details.

The lopsided scoreline had only happened because one side executed those details better and capitalized on key moments.

Looking at it with hindsight, it was easy to analyze and pinpoint mistakes.

But in the heat of the moment, things had been far more uncertain.

And that was exactly why Guardiola believed that if Barcelona had scored first in the second half, the whole game would have flipped.

It reinforced what Gao Shen already thought about Guardiola.

He always approached the game from a possession-based, attacking perspective.

It wasn't that he ignored defense, it just wasn't his top priority.

By contrast, Gao Shen was more pragmatic.

And that was why he had always known that he wasn't suited for Barcelona.

If he were to coach a top club, his personality would be a much better fit for Real Madrid.

Maybe it was fate.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Patrick Darmon for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 541: Future Premier League Top Scorer

Some people understand the meaning of hard work from a very young age.

Because for many, life is anything but easy.

Luis Suárez was one of those people.

From an early age, he knew that anything he wanted had to be earned through his own efforts. He had to seize every opportunity, no matter how slim, and once he had it, he would do everything in his power to hold onto it.

That was a lesson life had drilled into him since childhood.

His father was a soldier, and his mother a housewife. They had seven children, and Suárez was the fourth.

Born in Salto, Uruguay's second-largest city, Suárez grew up in poverty. When he was seven, his parents moved the family to the capital, Montevideo, in search of better opportunities.

But for young Suárez, the change of scenery didn't make much difference. He was still playing football—only now, instead of kicking a ball on the grass fields of Salto, he was doing it on the concrete streets of Montevideo.

Even at a young age, his talent was undeniable. Everyone who saw him play believed he was destined for greatness, that he would follow in the footsteps of Álvaro Recoba, escape the slums, leave South America, and make it in Europe.

But when Suárez was nine, his father, Rodolfo, left the family.

His mother, Sandra, was left to raise seven children on her own with a meager income. They lived in a cramped 15-square-meter room, eating sausages and rice every day because it was all they could afford.

When he was eleven, Suárez was scouted by the Uruguayan national youth academy, but he didn't have the money to go, not even for a pair of football boots.

During those painful years, the boy lost his passion for the game. He drifted, lost his sense of direction, and forgot his dreams.

He started skipping school and training, spending his time partying with friends. His temper grew more volatile. At the Nacional youth academy, he would get into fights with teammates and clash with coaches over the smallest disagreements. His future looked bleak.

His family tried to intervene, his siblings tried to help, but over time, everyone came to the same conclusion—he was a lost cause.

Then, at fifteen, he met a girl named Sofía through a teammate.

She had long blonde hair and was stunningly beautiful. Suárez fell for her instantly.

Sofía's arrival changed everything.

He became obsessed with winning her over. He started training with an almost maniacal intensity, just to earn small bonuses from his coach, Wilson. He would save up whatever little he made, take the bus 40 kilometers out of the city, and visit Sofía.

Despite coming from a middle-class family, neither Sofía nor her parents looked down on him for his poverty. Instead, she encouraged him. She urged him to focus on his training and his studies.

From that moment on, Suárez's football improved by leaps and bounds. It was as if he had become a completely different person.

But just a year later, in 2003, Sofía dropped a bombshell, her family was moving to Barcelona.

Suárez was devastated.

By the end of that year, with the help of his agent, Daniel Fonseca, and his older brother, he scraped together a plane ticket and sixty U.S. dollars. He flew from Montevideo to Barcelona, just to see Sofía again.

And in that moment, he swore to himself, he would make it to Europe.

Three years later, in June 2006—just days before Gao Shen arrived in Buenos Aires—Suárez's dream came true. He signed with FC Groningen in the Netherlands.

He had made it to Europe. He was one step closer to Sofía.

The day after finalizing his move, he flew straight to Barcelona. He stayed for ten days and, through a mix of persuasion and persistence, convinced Sofía to come with him to Groningen.

Since then, the two had never been apart.

From that day on, every goal he scored, every match he played, was for one reason, for Sofía, for his family, for everything he had fought for.

Every summer, he returned to Barcelona with Sofía to visit her parents.

By now, he was a star at Ajax, one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. But across Europe, he was still relatively unknown, especially in Barcelona. He could walk down the streets, and almost no one would recognize him.

But this year was different.

He received a phone call.

A call that made him feel, once again, that fate was giving him a chance.

…

Gao Shen's secret meeting with Suárez felt almost like a covert operation.

Two cars entered the underground parking lot of Gao Shen's hotel at the same time. Hotel staff guided them through a special passage used for VIPs. From there, they took a private elevator directly to the suite where the meeting was set to take place.

Throughout the entire process, the hotel ensured absolute discretion—no onlookers, no risk of being seen.

This was a standard service in high-end hotels, designed for exactly these kinds of situations.

Once Suárez was safely upstairs, his father-in-law and his agent, Fonseca, each drove their cars out of the hotel parking lot, ensuring that no trace of his visit remained.

For now, he was still an Ajax player. Keeping the meeting under wraps was essential.

Standing in front of Gao Shen, Suárez had his trademark jet-black, slightly curly hair parted at the sides. He wore a hooded sports sweatshirt. But what stood out the most was his prominent buck teeth.

Gao Shen couldn't help but wonder, aside from psychological reasons, did his occasional biting incidents have anything to do with those teeth?

The meeting had been arranged by Suárez's agent, Fonseca.

Gao Shen's goal was simple, he wanted to gauge Suárez's willingness to join Manchester City.

If Suárez agreed, Manchester City would officially begin negotiations with Ajax.

Suárez was just as curious about Gao Shen as Gao Shen was about him.

Alone in the hotel room, the first topic they discussed was Ajax.

Suárez's relationship with Van Basten at Ajax had been far from ideal, perhaps even strained. But with Van Basten now sacked and Martin Jol taking over as head coach, Suárez had yet to meet his new manager.

He respected Van Basten, but he also had his fair share of frustrations, particularly regarding the way Van Basten handled the dressing room and his usage of Suárez.

"I never understood why he didn't like me," Suárez admitted. "We never had a real conversation, not even once. Not like this, one-on-one. So I have no idea what the real reason was."

All his complaints were based on speculation.

Gao Shen nodded. He had noticed that many coaches avoided communicating with players directly, and he found that baffling.

How could you understand what a player was thinking without talking to them?

Yet, some managers operated that way, as if players were just high-performance assets, nothing more.

"I've watched some of your matches," Gao Shen said. "At Ajax, you've mostly played as a winger. At first, you were on either side of Huntelaar, but later, you were pushed out of the starting lineup. Honestly, I don't think that's the best position for you."

Suárez listened intently, nodding but saying nothing. His gaze remained locked on Gao Shen.

"I don't know if you've watched Napoli's games," Gao Shen continued.

"Of course. More than once."

"What do you think of them?"

Suárez thought for a moment. "A team that's always chasing victory—hungry."

"Well said!" Gao Shen praised. "I like hungry players. A team full of them can achieve great things. And I think you're one of them."

"You can tell?" Suárez grinned, flashing his signature buck teeth.

"It's in your eyes," Gao Shen said, staring at him. "You can't hide that kind of thing, it radiates from you."

Suárez smiled.

"You won't be satisfied at Ajax," Gao Shen continued. "The Eredivisie isn't enough for you anymore. You should move to a bigger stage, where you can prove yourself properly. And more importantly, you should be playing through the middle, not out wide."

"The central role comes with tighter marking, more physical battles, and greater pressure," Suárez pointed out.

"But it's also closer to goal," Gao Shen challenged. "Besides, Luis, are you telling me you can't handle it?"

Suárez was fired up. "I can play anywhere in attack—through the middle, out wide, left or right. It doesn't matter!"

At Ajax, he had played mostly as a winger and performed well in both roles.

"You're not physically strong enough yet. But we have the best fitness coach in the world, he'll help you improve your physicality. Your finishing efficiency needs work, and you struggle with back-to-goal play but we have the best technical coaches in the world to fix that too.

"In Manchester City, I'm building a midfield that will create constant chances for the attack. All you have to do is hold the ball, dribble, and score!"

Gao Shen leaned forward, his voice full of conviction. "I trained Cavani to become the top scorer in Serie A. And I'm confident I can turn you into the top scorer of the Premier League, if we share the same vision."

Suárez was impressed. "Back in Uruguay, my teammates always said I could score even if I was blindfolded. At Ajax, I've learned how to pass, how to press, and how to play within a system."

"You're right—I am a hungry player. I'm desperate for success. And I'll do whatever it takes on the pitch to get there. I'll fight until the last second.

"So let me tell you this now, I will never let you down!"

Gao Shen smiled, satisfied with his answer.

He had no intention of involving Suárez in negotiations with Ajax, he wasn't that kind of manager.

After their meeting, he simply told Suárez to go back and wait for news. As if nothing had happened.

"Be ready, Luis," Gao Shen said as they parted. "Believe me, we'll see each other again in Manchester soon!"

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to Patrick Darmon for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 542: Young Man, Be Prepared to Accept My Wanton Abuse

Perhaps years from now, when people look back on the summer of 2009, their memories won't center on the Confederations Cup in South Africa. Instead, they'll remember how the balance of power in European football was completely upended.

This seismic shift was driven by three teams, Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga, and Manchester City in the Premier League.

In mid-June 2009, few had turned their attention to the rising force in England. Most eyes were on the two Spanish giants, especially Real Madrid.

Having secured Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Benzema, Xabi Alonso, and Di María—along with Spanish talents such as Albiol, Negredo, and Granero—Real Madrid's spending in the transfer market had skyrocketed to a staggering €300 million.

It was, without question, the most extravagant summer in European football history.

After returning to the club, Florentino Pérez had boldly declared his intent to sign four of the biggest stars in world football within a single transfer window. In the end, he delivered on three—Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, and Benzema. Had Bayern Munich not adamantly refused to sell, Franck Ribéry would have been the fourth.

After missing out on Ribéry, Real Madrid turned to Napoli and secured Di María for €50 million.

A series of moves that stunned the footballing world.

Everyone knew Real Madrid had money. Everyone knew Florentino was ambitious. But no one had expected this level of spending.

Spending €300 million in one summer? Madness!

…

As Real Madrid's direct rivals, Barcelona still reeling from their humiliating defeat in the Champions League final were determined to strengthen their squad in response.

Their spending spree began with Alexis Sánchez, snatched from Napoli for €50 million. Then, in a heated battle with Manchester City, they signed Thiago Motta for another €50 million.

In an interview, Guardiola expressed his excitement over the new signings.

"Thiago Motta can play both defensive midfield and center-back, which gives us greater tactical flexibility," he explained. "His addition significantly improves our squad."

As for Sánchez, Guardiola believed his arrival would maximize Barcelona's attacking firepower.

"I know him well. He proved at Napoli that he is a world-class player, and I have no doubt he will be even better at Barcelona."

During the Champions League final, Abidal's absence forced Guardiola to deploy Puyol at left-back. Although Sylvinho replaced him in the second half, the team's attacking threat down the left flank remained limited.

Securing a top-quality left-back became a key priority for Barcelona's summer recruitment.

After evaluating their options, they finalized a €35 million deal for Peruvian left-back Juan Vargas from Napoli. Vargas had shone in Serie A over the past few seasons, making him a coveted target.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, both Manchester City and Barcelona had submitted bids for Vargas ranging from €25 million to €35 million and Napoli had accepted both offers.

But ultimately, Vargas chose Barcelona.

Few knew that before making his decision, Vargas personally called Gao Shen to inform him and explain his reasons. Gao Shen, understanding the player's choice, gave his full support.

Between Manchester City and Barcelona, most players would naturally choose the latter.

It was a logical and rational decision.

With Vargas secured, Guardiola declared that his squad was complete.

In addition to Thiago Motta, Sánchez, and Vargas, Barcelona also signed Brazilian striker Keirrison from Palmeiras for €14 million.

In total, their summer spending had reached €150 million.

…

As the two Spanish giants flexed their financial muscles across Europe, traditional powerhouses were left trailing in their wake.

Few clubs had the financial strength or resources to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

That left one last team standing, the Premier League's emerging superpower, Manchester City.

For weeks, British media had been speculating that Gao Shen, the mastermind behind Napoli's treble-winning season, had turned down the chance to coach Real Madrid and was instead heading to Manchester City.

Yet, neither Manchester City nor Gao Shen had confirmed the news.

But when Real Madrid officially announced Manuel Pellegrini, the Chilean tactician who had previously led Villarreal, as their new head coach, the football world took it as a done deal.

Gao Shen was going to Manchester City.

A decision that sent shockwaves through the sport.

But while some saw it as a bold move, others saw it as career suicide.

Many pundits and fans criticized Gao Shen, claiming he was throwing away his future.

Some believed he had made a terrible career choice, turning down a golden opportunity at Real Madrid for money.

They called it irresponsible, a reckless decision that would cost him his credibility as a manager.

However, some believed that Gao Shen's decision to join Manchester City and move to the Premier League would make the league even more competitive and exciting.

With Ferguson's Manchester United, Benítez's Liverpool, Wenger's Arsenal, Ancelotti's Chelsea, and now Gao Shen's Manchester City, five of the world's top managers were about to make the Premier League a battlefield like never before.

And in the transfer market, Manchester City showed no hesitation in spending big.

The club secured two of its top targets, Ivan Rakitić and David Luiz, from Napoli for a combined fee of €40 million. However, they lost out to Barcelona in the races for Thiago Motta and Juan Vargas, which was a setback in their recruitment strategy.

But City rebounded quickly.

From Germany, news broke that Manchester City had officially signed Schalke 04's rising star Manuel Neuer for €18 million.

At just 23 years old, Neuer was already regarded as the best of Germany's new generation of goalkeepers and a strong contender to be the future No. 1 for the national team. City were willing to spend heavily to secure his talents.

This move also disrupted the goalkeeping hierarchy at the club. Kasper Schmeichel was sold, Joe Hart was sent out on loan once again, and veteran Shay Given was retained.

Meanwhile, City embarked on a major squad overhaul.

Club captain Richard Dunne, as well as Bojinov, Bellamy, Elano, Petrov, and Jô, were all offloaded. The contracts of veteran Dietmar Hamann and youth prospect Michael Johnson were also terminated.

These sales brought in nearly €30 million in transfer revenue.

However, Michael Johnson's release sparked controversy among fans and the media. Once considered one of City's brightest academy prospects, Johnson's career had been derailed by a serious injury. His lack of discipline and growing problems with alcohol led to his decline.

While some still hoped he could recover and return to form, Gao Shen had no hesitation in letting him go.

This ruthless squad purge caused unrest within Manchester City and fueled speculation in the media.

It was clear that City were undergoing a complete restructuring, correcting the expensive but underwhelming signings made during the previous winter transfer window.

According to The Times, this overhaul was a clear sign that Gao Shen was preparing to take over Manchester City.

Everyone knew that Gao Shen favored technical, attacking football, a stark contrast to the more pragmatic style of former manager Mark Hughes.

By clearing out players who didn't fit his philosophy, Gao Shen was making room for technical talents like Robinho and Stephen Ireland, who were expected to play a bigger role in the new-look City.

…

At a press conference in Manchester, City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and CEO Garry Cook addressed the club's summer transfer dealings.

They explained that the restructuring was necessary to build a more dynamic and competitive team.

Mubarak also reassured the players and fans that City were still active in the transfer market.

"We are continuing to recruit new talent, and I believe more star players will arrive soon," he said. "We expect everyone to stay focused and keep working hard for the future."

A reporter at the press conference asked the question on everyone's mind—with Mark Hughes gone, who would be City's new head coach?

Rumors had been swirling that Gao Shen was about to take charge. Was it true?

Mubarak, however, remained tight-lipped.

"For now, there is no official information to disclose," he said.

"But what I can say is that we are working hard to bring in a world-class coach. We have a long-term plan, and we are executing it. I believe everyone will see the results soon."

His answer failed to satisfy the media and fans, but there was nothing they could do except wait.

To appease the growing anticipation, Garry Cook made a major announcement, Manchester City had reached an agreement with Ajax to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez for €17 million.

The club was now in negotiations over personal terms with Suárez and his agent.

"We believe we're about to add a truly powerful attacker to our squad," Cook declared.

However, compared to the megastar transfers of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Suárez's signing barely made a ripple.

Shortly after, City announced another signing, local defender Gary Cahill from Bolton for €8 million.

This move was driven by the need to increase the number of homegrown players in the squad following the squad overhaul.

After all, meeting the league's domestic player requirements was mandatory.

…

Meanwhile, Gao Shen remained in Barcelona, leaving Brian Kidd and Garry Cook to finalize negotiations with Suárez.

But rather than wait, Gao Shen and his assistant Lucas boarded a flight to Madrid.

Just as they were about to board, Gao Shen's phone rang.

The caller ID made him smile.

He held up the phone for Lucas to see, laughing smugly.

It was Eden Hazard.

As soon as he answered, Hazard's voice was firm and determined.

"I'm ready," Hazard said. "I want to join Manchester City."

"I'm mentally prepared. Please help me. I want to become the best player!"

Gao Shen grinned.

He had kept his promise not pressuring Hazard into a decision on the spot.

Instead, he had let the young Belgian go home and think it over.

People often regretted impulsive choices, but a well-thought-out decision was rarely one they second-guessed.

Now, Hazard had made his choice, Manchester City.

Gao Shen was thrilled.

Don't worry, kid. I won't hold back.

Get ready to endure my merciless training!

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 543: Gao Shen Is Not Coming

Florentino Pérez was in a foul mood.

Everyone at the Bernabéu could see it.

Real Madrid's summer transfer window had gone exceptionally smoothly, thanks to Florentino and his team's meticulous planning.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Benzema—Madrid had already established contact with them well in advance. The moment Florentino returned to the club, the deals were finalized. Now, it was just a matter of finding the right time to officially unveil them.

Real Madrid was preparing a grand presentation for Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká at the Bernabéu.

It would be a major event, further solidifying Madrid's return to dominance.

Everything had gone exactly according to plan.

And yet, Florentino was furious.

Only those who knew him well understood why, he had miscalculated on the most crucial piece of the puzzle.

Gao Shen.

Florentino had never expected Gao Shen to turn down the chance to coach a Real Madrid squad full of superstars and instead choose Manchester City.

What did City have?

No big-name stars.

A declining Robinho, who had failed to live up to expectations.

An empty trophy cabinet.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid had assembled a dream team—Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Benzema, Di María, Xabi Alonso…

Even beyond the players, Madrid was home to Gao Shen.

He had friends here. He knew the club. He knew the league.

But he still said no.

He chose Manchester City instead.

…

Florentino had envisioned a different reality.

If Gao Shen had taken over at Real Madrid, the club's momentum would have been unstoppable.

They had just thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League final, if Gao Shen joined Madrid, it would completely overshadow Guardiola's team.

Madrid would dominate.

But Gao Shen didn't come.

And Florentino's perfect plan fell apart.

Now, he had built the stage but the star of the show refused to perform.

How could he possibly be happy?

And more importantly could Pellegrini really handle a squad full of superstars?

…

"We've spent €307 million this summer," CEO José Ángel Sánchez reported. "The market response has been overwhelming, and global attention is at an all-time high.

"I've also met with sponsors over the past few days. They're extremely satisfied and are open to renegotiating sponsorship deals."

Sánchez had been Real Madrid's head of marketing and sales before being promoted to CEO upon Florentino's return.

Florentino had wasted no time in launching a new round of reforms at Real Madrid.

"The contract with Betfair won't be renewed after it expires," Florentino instructed. "It damages our brand image."

At the moment, Betfair was Real Madrid's main shirt sponsor, a well-known betting company.

For a club of Real Madrid's prestige to display a gambling company on their kits? An absolute disgrace.

"Understood," José Ángel Sánchez nodded.

He had originally negotiated the deal but had been powerless to stop it.

Calderón and Mijatović had pushed for it, and there was nothing he could do.

Back then, the European football market was struggling. Even for a club as big as Real Madrid, securing a lucrative shirt sponsorship was no easy task.

Back in 2002, despite signing Ronaldo, Real Madrid failed to sell their shirt sponsorship.

In 2003, after signing Beckham, they finally secured a deal with Samsung Electronics but only for three years.

By 2006, Real Madrid had signed a contract with BenQ, but the company went bankrupt after just one year.

So in 2007, desperate for a sponsor, many top clubs—including Real Madrid—were forced to accept deals with betting companies. It was a compromise.

But now, Florentino refused to compromise.

He was determined to protect Real Madrid's brand image at all costs.

…

"The excess personnel in the administrative department must be dealt with immediately," Florentino continued. "Tell Calderón that I'm already showing him mercy by not sending him and Mijatović to prison. He better tell his people to clear out, or I won't be so kind."

Just mentioning his predecessor made him furious.

What a mess Calderón had left behind.

To be played like that by his own subordinates? A disgrace to Real Madrid.

"Understood. I've already spoken to them," Sánchez replied.

As a veteran of three Real Madrid presidencies, he had seen it all.

With the CEO gone, only Zidane, Valdano, Butragueño, and general manager Manuel Redondo remained in the president's office.

These four were Florentino's most trusted confidants.

"I heard Gao Shen has been in Barcelona recently. What's he up to?" Florentino asked.

Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño exchanged glances.

None of them had a clear answer.

"All I know is that he made a trip to Valencia," Zidane replied.

He spoke with Gao Shen often, but some things couldn't be shared either because they were private, or simply his own speculation.

"Villa? David Silva? Juan Mata?" Florentino asked.

"I don't know," Zidane said, shaking his head.

Florentino frowned.

"I need to have a proper talk with Llorente one of these days. Our players have transferred to Valencia plenty of times, yet they refuse to sell theirs to us. Does he really want to see another Mendieta situation happen again?"

The whole world knew Real Madrid and Valencia weren't direct rivals, yet Valencia consistently refused to sell their stars to Madrid.

The most infamous case? Gaizka Mendieta.

At the start of the millennium, when Valencia reached back-to-back Champions League finals, Mendieta was one of the most sought-after players in the world.

Real Madrid were determined to sign him, and Mendieta himself had agreed—but Valencia refused.

Instead, they sold him to Lazio for a lower fee, just to prevent him from joining Madrid.

What happened next? Mendieta flopped in Serie A, his career spiraling into decline.

This pattern repeated itself over the years from Mendieta to Vicente, and now with Villa and Silva.

Valencia wasn't afraid of strengthening Madrid.

They were afraid of their own fans' backlash.

Ever since Madrid controversially poached Mijatović in the '90s, Valencia had vowed never to sell their stars to Madrid again.

But, interestingly, they had sold Albiol to Madrid.

So ultimately, it was a matter of choice.

"It's probably David Silva," Valdano speculated.

Florentino's expression softened slightly.

Truthfully, he was more interested in Villa.

This was the striker who had replaced Raúl in the Spanish national team.

"Manchester City has also made a move for Luka Modrić," Valdano added.

"They even offered €50 million, but Tottenham rejected it outright, saying Modrić was not for sale."

Valdano sighed. "Redknapp even threatened to resign if the club sold Modrić, so…"

"Premier League clubs really are rich," Florentino chuckled.

€50 million for a midfielder who isn't even a superstar yet?

Why wouldn't Tottenham cash in?

"David Silva wouldn't cost nearly that much," Valdano pointed out. "If we want him, we should act fast—just in case."

Florentino shook his head.

"Didn't you hear what Sánchez just said? We've already spent over €300 million. Our biggest priority now is offloading players like Sneijder, Robben, and Van der Vaart. We need to recoup at least €100 million to balance the books."

"We can't move for Silva at this time."

Valdano glanced at Zidane and nodded helplessly.

David Silva was a fantastic midfielder.

And if Gao Shen wanted him, that meant he had to be good.

But unfortunately, Real Madrid already had Kaká.

…

"Tell the players' agents to start looking for buyers," Florentino instructed. "We need to raise at least €100 million by selling off the surplus players."

Spending money felt great.

But recouping it? That was the hard part.

Florentino knew he was trying to do in one summer what should have been done over multiple seasons.

Over €300 million invested, but Real Madrid didn't actually have that kind of money.

The only way to manage it? Pay transfer fees in installments, take out bank loans, and offload players quickly.

The problem? Other clubs were also paying in installments when buying from Madrid.

It was a financial balancing act and Madrid's cash flow was under immense pressure.

Robben was the most valuable asset they could sell.

Huntelaar, Sneijder, and Van der Vaart were worth around €15 million each.

Robben's value had dropped, but he was still worth at least €25 million.

That was Madrid's bottom line.

If that wasn't enough, they'd have to sell off youth players like Javi García and Miguel Torres.

One way or another—they had to balance the books.

"I understand. I'll get started right away," Valdano nodded.

Just then, Zidane's phone rang.

He glanced at the caller ID—Gao Shen.

A grin spread across Zidane's face.

He held up his phone to Florentino and Valdano, who both looked intrigued.

Zidane answered.

"Hey, Gao, we were just talking about you with Florentino and Jorge…"

"Haha, what are you saying? We were wondering if you were in Barcelona trying to steal players…"

"Really? That'd be great—if you steal Messi, we won't have to worry anymore!"

"You want to steal players from Madrid? You've got guts!"

"What?" Zidane suddenly sat up straighter.

"You're in Madrid?"

He exchanged glances with Florentino and Valdano.

They were both stunned.

Gao Shen really was unpredictable.

(To be continued.)

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Chapter 544: This Guy Is Too Evil

Same location—Casa Juan Grill—but this time, Florentino didn't show up.

He had a company meeting in the evening and instead sent Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño to pass along his regards.

But Gao Shen knew the truth.

Florentino was avoiding him.

It was understandable. The new Real Madrid president was probably still fuming over Gao Shen's decision to turn them down. If he showed up, he probably wouldn't have an appetite anyway.

To avoid any disturbances, the five of them booked a private room on the second floor. They shut the door and enjoyed their meal while talking.

Naturally, the conversation turned to Manchester City's failed attempt to sign Tottenham's midfield maestro, Luka Modrić.

Just mentioning it put Gao Shen in a foul mood.

"According to the market valuation, Modrić was worth €16.5 million. We started with €25 million, then kept increasing the bid—all the way to €45 million—but Tottenham refused to budge."

"In 2008, they bought him for €20 million. Now the price has more than doubled, and they still won't sell," Gao Shen said, clearly frustrated.

Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño exchanged looks then burst out laughing.

"Only €45 million? The media was reporting it was €50 million!"

"That's nonsense! If €45 million wasn't enough, why would €50 million work?" Gao Shen grumbled.

Usually, when negotiating a transfer, there's some wiggle room, the selling club gives subtle signals that they're open to negotiating.

But Tottenham?

No matter how much City offered, their answer was always the same:

"Not for sale."

That left only one option, convincing Modrić to force a move.

But that would destroy the relationship between City and Tottenham.

Just look at Real Madrid and Valencia their years of bad blood all started because of Mijatović's transfer.

"Levy is ruthless, huh?" Gao Shen sighed.

Daniel Levy, Tottenham's CEO, was the mastermind behind the club's transfer dealings.

That summer, Tottenham had already sold Darren Bent for €10 million and signed Bassong, Crouch, Kyle Walker, Naughton, and Kranjčar. Their squad had clearly improved.

If they sold Modrić now, they'd make a huge profit—but it would hurt their season.

Tottenham had only finished eighth in the Premier League last year. This season, they were aiming higher.

Levy knew exactly when to buy and when to sell.

"In reality, every club in Europe knows Manchester City has money. That puts you at a disadvantage when negotiating," Butragueño pointed out.

"It's the same with Real Madrid."

Gao Shen nodded.

There wasn't much he could do about it.

Looking back from 2021, Tottenham was a textbook example of how to transform from a mid-table club to a European powerhouse.

But that process had taken them over a decade.

For a club like Manchester City, there were only two choices: learn from Tottenham or be foolish with their money.

Take Modrić, for example, if Gao Shen really wanted him, he could have forced the transfer.

But the cost would have been astronomical, a dangerous precedent.

Not only would the pressure on Modrić be immense, but it would also destabilize the dressing room.

A transfer fee that far exceeds a player's value creates unrealistic expectations. If he fails to meet them, it can break him mentally.

So, instead of forcing a move, Gao Shen turned to Valencia.

Los Che were under serious financial pressure, making them a gold mine for top talent at reasonable prices.

David Silva's market value? €23 million.

Valencia's asking price? €25 million.

For a star player, this was more than fair.

But Valencia had no choice, their finances left them with no leverage.

Gao Shen personally traveled to Valencia to meet with the club's management. He even called David Silva himself.

Everything was quickly finalized.

A much smoother deal than fighting for Modrić.

…

But Gao Shen wasn't done yet.

Since Tottenham refused to sell Modrić, he immediately switched targets securing Gareth Bale for €15 million.

The Welsh left-back had originally joined Spurs from Southampton for €6.5 million, but thanks to various clauses in his contract, his fee had risen to €13 million over the past two years.

Yet, Bale's performance at Tottenham was dreadful.

Since arriving in 2007, he had played 24 Premier League matches for Spurs.

8 appearances in his first season

16 appearances in his second season (including 6 as a substitute)


The result?

Tottenham had 9 draws and 15 losses in those 24 games.

Not a single win.

When he first arrived, he showed promise, scoring twice and assisting once in his first 8 games.

But last season, despite playing more minutes, his numbers dropped to zero goals and zero assists.

With no improvement in his performances, his market value remained stagnant.

So, after failing to land Modrić, Gao Shen took Bale instead—at a slightly higher fee than Spurs originally paid.

Consider it "compensation" from Redknapp.

…

Modrić had long been one of Gao Shen's dream signings.

But at this stage, he had to be realistic.

After securing Rakitic, David Luiz, Hazard, Neuer, Suárez, David Silva, Cahill, and Bale, Manchester City's spending had already reached nearly €200 million.

€200 million!

Even though Sheikh Mansour and Mubarak had promised an unlimited transfer budget, Gao Shen still had to think carefully about his spending.

And he wasn't finished yet.

He still needed a No. 4, a left-back, and was even keeping an eye on a Real Madrid player.

With these additional moves, City's total spending would likely reach €250 million.

…

With the Manchester City-Tottenham drama settled, the conversation naturally shifted to Real Madrid.

After all, the €300 million+ spending spree had created a squad that was arguably the most star-studded in European football.

The only club that could rival them? Barcelona.

Gao Shen, now Manchester City's head coach, initially didn't want to discuss Madrid.

But Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño kept pressing him.

They clearly had an agenda, perhaps Florentino wanted to know his thoughts.

"If you really want my opinion, fine," Gao Shen said. "But let's make a deal, I'll give you my analysis, and in return, you have to help me with a small favor later."

Zidane and the others laughed they knew exactly how Gao Shen operated.

"Deal," they agreed immediately.

…

"With Madrid's current squad, they still have a shot at the league title," Gao Shen admitted.

"But I don't think they can compete for the Champions League."

The room fell silent.

Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño were visibly stunned.

They had some doubts about the squad's balance…

But not as pessimistic as Gao Shen.

"Explain," Zidane said, leaning forward.

…

"The squad's biggest weakness?" Gao Shen began.

"Midfield control."

"The center-backs aren't an issue. The attack isn't a problem. But the midfield is a major concern."

"Kaká has to start. Xabi Alonso also has to start."

"So… who's the third midfielder?"

"Lass Diarra?"

"He's a strong defensive midfielder, one of the best in La Liga at breaking up play. But he can't control the game. He can't dictate tempo."

"And neither Kaká nor Xabi Alonso can do that either."

This was Madrid's fundamental flaw.

…

Some might argue, "So what? Who cares about ball control?"

Just press high, win the ball back, and counterattack!

But that wasn't enough.

A high-tempo attack was unsustainable over an entire match.

Modern defenses had improved dramatically.

Breaking them down was a war of attrition, not a single all-in gamble.

If the first attack failed, teams had to recycle possession, reorganize, and go again probing, stretching, and waiting for an opening.

And to do that, you needed control.

"He who controls the midfield controls the world," Gao Shen quoted.

"But tell me—who controls Real Madrid's midfield?"

Madrid could still win La Liga because they could overpower weaker teams.

In a 38-game season, if they bullied the small clubs, they'd always have a chance.

But in cup competitions, especially the Champions League knockout stages, it wouldn't work.

Against elite teams, they would be exposed.

That's why Madrid would struggle in Europe.

At the heart of it all?

Kaká's role.

If Kaká was undroppable, and Madrid wanted a three-man midfield, there was no way to solve the control issue.

Even if Pellegrini, Mourinho, or even Gao Shen himself were in charge, the problem remained:

How do you structure the midfield with only two players left?

Especially if Kaká doesn't defend?

"I've spent the last few years thinking about this," Gao Shen said.

"I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough. It's hard to explain in words but the feeling is there."

"In my last season at Napoli, I felt it, the momentum building toward something special."

"And we won the treble."

"Now, with Manchester City, I want to try again."

"If I succeed, I'll fully grasp the concept."

"And this… will be my winning formula."

His voice was calm—but full of conviction.

Zidane, Valdano, and Butragueño were speechless.

They had always known Gao Shen was special.

But now?

They realized they had still underestimated him.

At 28 years old, he wasn't just developing as a manager.

He was evolving.

A monster in the making.

(To be continued.)